PADRES: Report says team is O'Malley's 'to lose'

JOHN MAFFEI jmaffei@nctimes.com

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SAN DIEGO ---- After having as many as six groups interested in purchasing the Padres, Fox Sports reported a sale is imminent, and the franchise is the Peter O'Malley group's "to lose," according to a source with knowledge of the sale process.

Padres owner John Moores, who was seen in Petco Park during Friday night's 9-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, reportedly met with representatives from the two finalists, including Peter Seidler, the nephew of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley.

Golfer Phil Mickelson, who is said to want a stake in the Padres with the O'Malley group, a stake that may be as much as $66 million, was sitting in Section 110 at Petco Park on Wednesday for the Padres' game with the Texas Rangers.

Padres' Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn, who was to be the front man for another group seeking ownership, was rumored to be involved with the O'Malley group.

"Right now, I'm the baseball coach at San Diego State," Gwynn said. "I don't know how rumors like this get started, but I'm coaching the Aztecs."

Earlier this week, Moores met with Gary Jabara, the founder of a wireless communications company in Orange County, Fox Sports said.

Moores' sale price is believed to be around $800 million ---- $600 million for the team and $200 million for a portion of the team's equity stake in Fox Sports San Diego.

The Padres are in the first year of a 20-year deal with Fox that is worth $1.2 billion.

The terms of the sale are the only remaining issue, Fox's source said.

Moores, who took control of the club in 1994, had agreed to sell it to Jeff Moorad in March of 2009 for about $580 million.

Moorad's ownership group fell apart earlier this year and Moores resumed control.

"From what I've heard, it is O'Malley's and Seidler's to lose," the source said. "Moores apparently also likes Jabara a lot and thinks he would be an outstanding owner as well, but the devil is in the details."

If a buyer is selected soon, a purchase agreement could be in place by the All-Star break and the deal could close by August, Fox reported.

The sale would be subject to severe scrutiny from Major League Baseball with background and financial checks a top priority.

A quick resolution of a sale by Moores might give the new owner a chance to work with the team's front office to formulate a strategy for the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

The Padres have several players that interest other clubs, including outfielder Carols Quentin, third baseman Chase Headley and closer Huston Street.

The Padres have made numerous trades over the last couple of years as they attempt to stockpile prospects.

At $55 million, the Padres have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball.

Quentin, who is eligible for free agency, is attractive because he would have a relatively cheap price tag.

The slugging outfielder, who is from San Diego, has said he's open to signing a long-term deal with the Padres.